Quality sleep is often taken for granted and squeezed into the few remaining hours of the day. However, sleep should be classed as much more than an afterthought, especially as it can affect your mood, long-term health, quality of life, and productivity. Getting a good night of quality sleep may, in fact, help you to complete tasks quicker, saving extra time in your day.

Why sleep is vital

Sleep is the time when your body and brain can relax and repair. Sleep was once thought to be just a period of inactivity, but it is now known that brains are actually pretty busy and use sleep time wisely to process and store information from the day. Unsurprisingly sleep is so vital to the body that frequent sleep deprivation can lead to an increased chance of cancer, depression, and heart disease. The average adult needs between 7-9 hours of sleep each night, and during this time, the brain recharges, the body releases vital hormones, and cells repair themselves. If you have less sleep than your body needs, it can mean that your body doesn't have time to process and repair itself fully.

Here is how a good night's sleep can help you improve your daily productivity.

You have probably noticed that your brain can feel foggy when you have a poor night's sleep, and everything seems much more challenging the following day. This increased difficulty is because while you are asleep, your brain works away to process and store the information from the previous day. This gives you the space to think clearly, remember information and make decisions, which are vital for a productive day. When you have the right amount of sleep, your brain is alert and focused, ready to learn new things and, importantly, to remember information.

Lower immunity

A lack of sleep can lead to a reduced immune system, making you more susceptible to viruses such as the common cold. This reduction happens when the body does not have time to complete the vital processes to keep us healthy. Getting the right amount of sleep may take a little time but can also save you time in the long run, as you may be less likely to pick up viruses. Now we know why we need good quality sleep; what can we do to ensure we get it?

Make time to sleep

It may feel like you don't have time to sleep sometimes; however, now you know how important sleep is, hopefully, this is no longer the case. By creating a bedtime routine and putting the time aside to sleep, you may find you are more productive and can complete tasks quicker, giving you more time. A bedtime routine will also help your body and brain to recognize when it is time to get ready for sleep; this will make it easier to fall asleep and help you to get the vital sleep hours you need.

Get comfortable.

It is difficult to sleep when you are uncomfortable or have aches and pains. Sleeping on a good quality mattress, which will keep you fully supported all night, will help your body relax and stop any aches and pains caused by a poor quality or lumpy mattress. The hybrid bamboo mattress from Panda London is a great choice; it combines the support of a traditional mattress with the breathable comfort of bamboo-infused foam to transform your sleep and, in turn, your productivity. Sleeping significantly affects our productivity, and instead of being an afterthought is vital to our bodies, minds, and long-term health. Making time for a quality night's sleep in a comfortable bed will help you be most productive every day.